With Earth Day around the corner and the U.S. having experienced $182.7 billion in damage from weather and climate disasters during 2024, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2025’s Greenest States, as well as expert commentary.
In order to showcase the states doing right by Mother Earth, WalletHub compared the 50 states in terms of 28 key metrics that speak to the current health of the environment and residents’ environmental-friendliness. The data set ranges from green buildings per capita to the share of energy consumption from renewable resources.
Greenness of New York (1=Greenest, 25=Avg.):
- Overall Rank: 3rd
- 14th – Air Quality
- 5th – Soil Quality
- 26th – Water Quality
- 12th – LEED-Certified Buildings per Capita
- 25th – % of Renewable Energy Consumption
- 2nd – Energy Consumption per Capita
- 1st – Gasoline Consumption (in Gallons) per Capita
For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/greenest-states/11987.
Expert Commentary
What policies can state and local authorities pursue to make their communities more environmentally friendly?
“While only federal policy can be effective at the scale and scope needed to protect the environment against an array of increasing threats, state and local initiatives are more important than ever, and can address a range of issues like local pollution sources, energy efficient buildings, accessible food systems, and waste reduction. Through deep, respectful community engagement, higher education can help provide tools to empower local voices and jointly devise innovative environmental awareness forums to break through communication barriers and misinformation. There’s a much-needed mutual benefit in that relationship, and it’s more timely than ever.”
John Clinton, PhD – Associate Professor; Founding Chair, Environmental Policy, The New School, New York City
“Create strong renewable energy policies such as a 100% carbon free electricity as nearly half of all states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and Guam have already done (or similar local policies); strict standards for controlling air pollution emissions and non-point water pollution; soil restoration programs to help revitalize the farming sector; significantly more bike lanes; more green spaces; approve subsidies for electric vehicles; and require that new buildings constructed meet LEED standards for green building design.”
Barry D. Solomon – Professor Emeritus, Michigan Technological University
Is there an inherent tradeoff between protecting the environment and promoting economic growth?
“No. Protecting the environment can be consistent with economic growth. The question is related to what kind of economic growth. Economic growth that involves increasing industrialization that relies on greater emissions of greenhouse gases is incompatible with environmental protection, as is economic growth that involves deforestation for development. Most policies and statements about economic growth bluntly imply simply increased spending and output, but they do not articulate the type or nature of economic growth. We should be asking about economic growth for what? For whom? And to what ends? Historically, economic growth has been incompatible with environmental protection, but it does not have to be this way.”
Robert B. Richardson, PhD – Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University
“Yes and no. Tradeoffs are often very real and very important, and we generally need to be striking a wise balance. There are no free lunches. Where I'd say ‘no,’ however, is in a bigger picture view of economic development and environmental protection: prosperity has been and can be very, very good for the environment. Prosperity gives us the ability and desire to afford a cleaner, greener world. Economic development can bring us vital technologies and capabilities to lessen our footprints and enhance environmental quality. In the big picture, strong and secure economies can play a crucial role in enabling greener development.”
Doug Noonan – Professor, IU Indianapolis
What is the single most impactful thing an individual can do to reduce their effect on the environment?
“Sticking with the ‘think global, act local’ theme – individuals can shape what happens in their own yards and neighborhoods. Doug Tallamy eloquently describes how planting native trees and practicing conservation measures where we live, work, and play can make a real difference. When combined with state, national, and global awareness, these local actions can drive meaningful collective change.”
Todd Lookingbill – Professor, University of Richmond
“Individuals can take action to minimize single-use plastics, adopt renewable energy options, and utilize non-emitting forms of transportation, but such actions are constrained in many areas. Perhaps the most impactful things an individual can do to reduce their environmental impacts are to vote in support of candidates who are willing to implement policies that reduce waste and emissions, and to advocate for policy changes that reduce the harmful effects of human activities on the environment.”
Robert B. Richardson, PhD – Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University